The latest on hiring is that they are waiting to see how things work out with the new contract and its numerous scheduling changes. A new base realignment is due out soon, with LAX being downsized slightly. Also, AC 279 is going to be down for conversion to freighter, which may slow things a bit.
My best guess (and it's purely speculation) is that we will hire sometime late summer, early fall - but I'm usually wrong.

I would definitely go to the ATL job fair and at least get your resume in, they've hired quite a few people at the fairs in the past.